KENNEBUNK — Heading into a new season, most teams can be placed in two categories: rebuilding or reloading.

There is no question that the Kennebunk girls lacrosse squad is in the latter group as the Rams return a large group of seniors, including several college-bound standouts, from a team that made it all the way to the Class B state title game last year.

“We bring back a lot of skill, a lot of talent and a lot of depth,” said Kennebunk coach Annie Barker. “We have probably 11 or 12 seniors back … and probably four or five of them have played varsity all four years.”

The Rams started out the season in the Kennebunk gym because of the weather, but that didn’t stop Barker from getting some work done.

“(Monday) due to the rain we were inside, but we got some good testing things done, got to work some stick skills, had three good stations inside, so we made the time inside worthwhile for us,” said Barker.

One thing that has Barker excited for the 2016 campaign is the return of attackers Jenny Bush, Kyra Schwartzman, Liv Sandford and Carly Sandler.

“We know that we have an attack because we have our whole attack back,” said Barker.

With the offensive side of the ball seemingly taken care of, the Rams will focus on stopping their opponents’ attack, according to Barker.

“We are going to try to make our defense even better than it was last year. We are going to put a little more focus on defense,” said Barker.

The defense will be led by goalie Bella Kudas, who along with Schwartzman, Sandford, Bush and Sandler, will be playing lacrosse at the next level.

“They are solid. They have a passion for the game, they just love it,” said Barker of the college-bound standouts. “They are good teachers, they are good coaches on the sideline. We are pretty lucky, we have five that are going off to play at the college level.”

Before the five standouts head off to college, the Rams will look to make a run at their first-ever state title. The road to the Gold Ball begins on April 15 when Kennebunk hosts Fryeburg Academy.

NOTES: Schwartzman will head to Merrimack College, while Sandford is committed to Bates College, Bush to Assumption College, Sandler to Lynchburg College and Kudas to Drew University … The Rams will have a chance for revenge on May 24 when they host the defending state champion Yarmouth Clippers, who beat Kennebunk by an 11-10 score in overtime in last year’s state finals.

— Sports Editor Pat McDonald can be reached at pmcdonald@journaltribune.com or at 282-1535 ext. 322. Follow the Journal Tribune Sports Department on Twitter @ JournalTsports.